Personal hygiene wiping and scrubbing device and method for using the device

ABSTRACT

The present invention consists of a personal cleansing device for cleaning the lower portions of the body, and most particularly the anal and perineal regions of the body after using the toilet and is provided with an elongate handle portion which is substantially planar and a firm foam or rubber tip which is substantially prismatic in shape. The present invention is then simply wound with a length of toilet paper and the tip of one end of the toilet paper is secured by simply wrapping it around itself at the end tip of the firm sponge or foam, while the other end of the toilet paper is secured within a aperture or opening in the tip of the handle, thereby effectively covering the entire device so that neither the user&#39;s hands nor the device is soiled during the cleansing process. A plastic sleeve or covering may also be provided to protect the wiping element during a bout of diarrhea. A plurality of these devices may be prepared in advance of using the toilet inasmuch as one or more of the devices are typically utilized during a cleansing process.

The present application is based upon U.S. Disclosure Document No. 518,753 filed ______ and is incorporated by reference hereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hand held wiping and scrubbing devices intended for use on the lower portion of a person's body, and more particularly, those which are used on the rectal or perineal areas after using the toilet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, in the marketplace, there are available a wide variety of devices for scrubbing the rectal and/or perineal portions of the lower body after toileting.

In reviewing the prior art, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,716 issued to K. Thornton which discloses a hand held device for gripping a piece of toilet paper with using a pair of opposing jaws. However, this device has a hard wiping element. Show in U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,516 issued to S. Saatjian is a device that has a wiping element that is automatically rotated by the device to use one side of toilet paper first, and then a opposite side of toilet paper. U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,077 issued to W. Wenger discloses a waste remover that grasps or grips toilet paper with a plurality of fingers which are configured into an incurvate dome like structure.

Another patent shown in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,154 issued to J Blair which discloses the use of a waster remover with a jaw like clamp which is intended to hold a portion of toilet paper. Another patent shown in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,564 issued to N. Hamm for a personal sanitary device that has an elongate waste removing member which is offset from a central rod member by 45°, and it further has a gripping element that is also offset from the central rod by 45°.

Still another patent disclosed in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,512 issued to C. Latham which discloses the use of a wiping member and covering which is automatically dislodged from the end of a handle after the device has been used. Another device seen in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,194 issued to A. Rosenfeld which discloses the use of a rod or handle secured to a spatula shaped wiping member that is offset from the handle of the device by 90°. Another device which has a triangular shaped waste removing member that is rigid in configuration is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,040 issued to L. Tetrault. The use of a cup like or dome shaped waste removing member is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,033 issued to M. Knox.

Thus, nowhere in the prior is seen a substantially prismatic soft and comfortable foam or sponge shaped waste removing device which is secured to a handle at a substantially 150° angle, and which is simply wrapped with toilet paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a wiping and scrubbing device having a handle portion, a waste removing portion which is substantially prismatic in shape, with the handle portion being offset from the waste removing portion by an angle of substantially 150°, although other configurations may be utilized. Preferably the present invention would be most helpful to users that have handicaps, such as arthritis and other bone and joint disorders, as well as a variety of conditions that limit use of the limbs, back, fingers and torso of the user, as well as those that find it difficult to clean themselves after using the toilet. The present invention allows a user to clean themselves without twisting the body, wrist or finger. The waste removing portion consists of a foam shape or a sponge which is preferably firm to the touch, yet comfortable when applied to the skin of a user. The foam shape or sponge is preferably cemented or fused to the lower end of the handle portion. The handle portion of the device is preferably flat or planar in configuration. The present invention is wound with tissue paper and then passed over the rectum and/or perineal areas after a person has gone to the toilet. The toilet paper is held in position by folding it over the end tip of the sponge and then winding a length of toilet paper around the sponge, or it may be held within an opening or other fastening means present at the tip of the wiping sponge, and the other end of the toilet paper is held in position by securing it withing an opening in the end of the handle, or other common fastening means such as clips, miniature hook and loop fasteners and the like. The sponge is covered with turns of toilet tissue in a fashion which is similar to that found on a tennis racquet handle grip. By completely covering the sponge, this will eliminate soiling the sponge and the hands of the user while it is being used. Of course, a special shell or cup may come ready to use, to eliminate the need to wrap toilet paper around the device. When this is done, the tissue cup or covering should be sufficiently long so as to extend up a portion of the handle so that the handle of the device will not be soiled when it is used. A fitted cup or shell of tissue may be most helpful when applying medications or creams to the lower portion of a person's backside. It may be friction fitted onto the soft sponge or foam wiping element. Although a 36″ length of toilet tissue is used in one preferred embodiment of the invention, other lengths may be used depending upon the size of the waste removing element and/or the handle which may be varied, depending on the type of person using the device and the limitation on mobility. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waste removing element is approximately 4.5″ long and the handle is 6″ long. The present invention can also be utilized to scrub the rectum and/or perineal area during bathing when the inventive device is used without a tissue covering.

It is anticipated that the handle portion of the device may be made from a wide variety of materials, including a hardened plastic or polymer or even a piece of metal wire or other metal form. Stainless steel may be especially desired for its resistance to rust, sanitary benefits, ease of cleaning and extreme durability. Plastic or another polymer may be also greatly desired to form the handle portion of the present invention, due to its economy and simplicity of manufacture. It also is fairly easy to sanitize.

The present invention is designed for economy of manufacture such that a user of the present invention may preassemble four or five of the devices in advance of using the toilet. Generally, several may be used in order to effectuate a proper cleaning of the rectal and/or perineal area. After the first rectal area wiping device has been used, the user may simply unwind the toilet paper from the device and as it uncoils, it maybe simply dropped into the toilet. One or two additional, prepared rectal wiping devices may need to be used in order to complete the cleaning process.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plastic sleeve or covering is provided so that if the user has diarrhea, only the toilet paper or a fitted paper cover will be soiled when the device is used. The sponge or foam core will not be soiled because the user has diarrhea. It is further anticipated that the plastic sleeve or covering will be provided with a light coating of adhesive, or other gripping substance, so that the toilet paper cannot slip around on the plastic as it is wound about the device, prior to its use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is one primary object of the present invention to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which has an elongate substantially planar handle which easily reaches to the desired area to effectuate proper cleansing for a user with a handicap or disability.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which has a distal end consisting of a firm foam or sponge tip which is substantially prismatic in configuration for ease and comfort of cleansing in delicate personal areas.

A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which has a foam or sponge tipped end which may be wrapped with toilet paper to effectuate cleansing of the lower body areas.

Still yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which has an opening or loop at its upper end in order to secure one end of toilet paper.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which has which has an opening in the tip of the wiping sponge which is adapted to secure one end of a length of toilet paper.

Yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which is completely wrapped from the tip of the sponge cleansing end of the device up the handle and over the tip of the handle, completely covering it so that the user stands no chance of dirtying his or her hands or the device itself.

A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which has a length of toilet paper wrapped around at least a portion of the device such that after the device has been used, the toilet paper can be simply and easily unwound and dropped into the toilet or commode for simple and effective disposal thereof.

Still an additional primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which may be used without toilet paper in the shower to effectuate thorough cleansing of the desired personal areas of the lower body.

Yet a further primary object of the present invention is to provide a rectal/perineal wiping and scrubbing device which is provided with a plastic covering or sleeve that can be placed over the sponge or foam core when the device is intended to be used during a bout of diarrhea, so that the sponge or foam core will not be soiled.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention can be readily derived from the following detailed description of the drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings present herein and should be considered as within the overall scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation side view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a waste remover with a clip type toilet paper securing member.

FIG. 2 is an elevation side view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a waste remover with a miniature hook and loop type fastener for the toilet paper covering.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the waste removing element comprised of a soft spongy material.

FIG. 4 is an elevation side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing it as it is initially wrapped in a length of toilet paper.

FIG. 5 is an elevation side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing it after it has been completely wrapped in toilet paper and is ready for use.

FIG. 6 is an elevation side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing it as it might be used for diarrhea.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Shown now in FIG. 1 is waste removing device 10 which has a foam waste removing member 16, a handle 12, which is offset from the foam waste removing member 16 by a substantially 45° angle, and a clip 14 which is provided at the back of handle 12 for securing a length of toilet paper thereto. The foam waste removing member 16 will make the device much more comfortable for the user, and it will readily frictionally grip the end of a portion of toilet paper. Handle 12 is preferably made from a plastic, acrylic or other copolymer for ease and economy of use. However, handle 12 may also be made from stainless steel or aluminum, or any other metallic alloy or coated chrome which may be cleaned with strong disinfectants when desired yet will be rust resistant, since waste removing device 10 in intended for use in a bathroom which is a high humidity environment.

FIG. 2 shows a top elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, waste removing device 50 which has a foam waste removing member 66, a handle 62, which is offset from the foam waste removing member 16 by an angle of 45 deg, and the handle is also provided with a length of miniature hook and loop fastener 64 which may be easily folded over by the user to secure a second end of a length of toilet paper. A hole or aperture 68 is also provided in handle 68 so the device may be hung from a hook when not in use. The miniature hook and loop fastener is secured to the handle 62 with a rivet 70, or it may be secured with an adhesive or any other securing method commonly known and used in the prior art.

FIG. 3 shows yet a portion of a third embodiment of the present invention in end elevation view, waste removing device end tip 100 which is comprised of a spongy material 110 rather than the smooth foam shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also shown in FIG. 3 is an end aperture or opening 12 which may be used as a toilet tissue fastening method whereby the user can simply wad or twist the end of a piece of toilet tissue and stuff the end of the toilet tissue in aperture or opening 112 prior to its use.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of waste removing device 90 with toilet tissue 96 being truncated, whereby foam waste removing member is about to be wrapped with toilet tissue end 96 which has been folded in half and placed over the end of foam waste removing member 92. Preferably, toilet tissue 96 is wound over foam waste removing member 92 and clear up over handle 94 to its very tip.

FIG. 5 shows waste removing device 90 as it is completely wrapped in toilet tissue 96, much like the grip of a racquet is wrapped. The end of toilet tissue 96 has simply been twisted and poked through a small aperture or opening in the handle, as shown in FIG. 2. After the device has been used, the user merely untwists the toilet tissue, allowing it to fall in the toilet and flushed away, without having to soil the present invention itself, or the user's hands.

FIG. 6 shows waste removing device 10 as it is used with clear plastic sleeve or covering 18 in the event that the user has runny bowel movements or diarrhea. In this particular instance, plastic sleeve or covering has been provided with a light adhesive coating 20 which is used to help secure the toilet paper onto the plastic covering 18. Of course, other waterproof and water resistant materials may be utilized to make the plastic sleeve or covering 18 from, and some of these may include woven or fibrous plastic materials which would already be provided with a slip resistant surface. With such materials, no adhesive coating is necessary.

ONE PREFERRED METHOD TO PREPARE THE PRESENT INVENTION FOR USE

Directions for Wrapping the Present Invention.

-   1. Lay a 36″ length of toilet tissue on a flat surface. -   2. Fold the tissue in half lengthwise. -   3. Open the fold at its proximal end and place the end tip of the     waste removing element approximately one half inch from the center     fold. -   4. Make three turns to form a tube. -   5. Bend the tube upward and on top of the wide side of the sponge.     This makes an end cap to protect the tip of the sponge. -   6. Proceed to overlap turns of folded tissue to the opposite end of     the sponge, in fairly tight turns, to completely cover the sponge.     At the end of the sponge, where the handle enters the sponge, make     two or three additional turns of tissue around the handle to keep     the overlapped turns tight. Make twisted turns up the handle to the     tissue securing hole. Twist the lost two inches of the proximal end     of tissue so as to form a loop to be partially inserted through the     securing hole or aperture. This permits a quick release of the     tissue when discarding the soiled tissue. -   7. It is recommended that at least four devices be pre-made for     immediate use. A fifth device can be reserved for use, without a     tissue covering, for scrubbing during bathing.

ONE PREFERRED METHOD FOR USING THE PRESENT INVENTION

-   1. Bend slightly over the commode and make a slow single swipe     across the area to be cleaned, to gather most of the waste,     beginning at the end nearest the handle, pulling the device outward.     This should be very slow to avoid spillage. -   2. Dispose of the soiled tissue by pulling out the twisted tissue     loop from the securing hole, and allow the soiled tissue to drop,     while unraveling, into the commode without having to touch the     tissue. Rotating the device handle while unraveling it will speed up     the process. -   3. After the first two or three swipes with unused devices, with the     major waste removed, rubbing the device back and forth with a final     tissued covered device should provide sufficient cleansing of the     soiled area. If necessary, a very lightly moistened tissue covered     device can be used, followed by a final dry tissued covered device. -   4. Wash the sponge or foam portion of the waste removing element     periodically, and allow to air dry.

Although in the foregoing detailed description the present invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and alterations in the structure and arrangement of those embodiments other than those specifically set forth herein may be achieved by those skilled in the art and that such modifications and alterations are to be considered as within the overall scope of this invention. 

1. A personal wiping and scrubbing device having: a substantially prismatic shaped wiping element made from a substantially soft yet firm material with an end tip and an elongate substantially planar handle with an end portion affixed to said wiping element, with said handle portion being offset to said wiping element by an angle from substantially 120° to 170° wherein a length of toilet paper may be wound around the device from the end tip of the wiping element up to the end of the handle for the purpose of effectuating personal cleaning of the user in the lower regions of the body.
 2. The personal wiping and scrubbing device according to claim 1 wherein the substantially prismatic shaped wiping element is further provided with an aperture in the end tip for the purpose of securing a first end of toilet paper there within.
 3. The personal wiping device according to claim 2 wherein an opening is further provided with an aperture in the handle for the purpose of securing an opposing end of toilet paper there within.
 4. The personal wiping device according to claim 1 wherein the substantially firm yet soft material of the prismatic shaped wiping element is a spongy material.
 5. The personal wiping device according to claim 1 wherein the substantially firm yet soft material of the prismatic shaped wiping element is a foam material.
 6. The personal wiping device according to claim 1 wherein the substantially planar handle is mode from one of the following materials: a polymeric material, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or other metal alloy.
 8. The personal wiping device according to claim 1 wherein the device is further provided with an elongate plastic sleeve which is adapted to fit over the wiping element when the device is used during a bout of diarrhea.
 9. The personal wiping device according to claim 8 further having an exterior surface wherein the plastic sleeve is further provided with a light coating of an adhesive over at least a portion of its exterior surface.
 10. A method for using a personal cleansing device comprising the steps of: providing a substantially prismatic wiping element with an end tip where there is further provided an aperture in its end tip and the wiping element is secured to a substantially planar handle with an opening in its end tip; providing a length of toilet paper of substantially at least 30″ with the toilet paper having a first and second end; securing a first end of the toilet paper in the end tip of the wiping element; winding the length of toilet paper around the personal cleansing device up the wiping element and at least a portion of the handle.
 11. The method for using a personal cleansing device according to claim 10 which includes the additional step: securing the second end of the toilet paper to the opening in the end tip of the handle. 